N-acetyl mannosammine as a therapeutic agent

Abstract

The invention relates to compositions and methods for treating kidney and muscle dysfunction that involves use of therapeutic amounts of N-acetyl mannosamine.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A method of treating a condition or disease in a mammal in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a sialic acid precursor, N-acetyl mannosamine or a derivative thereof, to the mammal, wherein the derivative consists of Formula I. 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R 1 , R 3 , R 4 , or R 5  is hydrogen, lower alkanoyl, carboxylate or lower alkyl; R 2  is lower alkyl, lower alkanoylalkyl, lower alkyl alkanoyloxy; and the condition or disease is selected from muscular atrophy, muscular dystrophy, high blood pressure, or diabetes. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising administering a therapeutic amount of N-acetyl mannosamine to the mammal. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutic amount is about 0.1 g to about 50 g N-acetyl mannosamine per day. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the therapeutic amount is administered in a unit dosage of about 0.01 g to about 50 g N-acetyl mannosamine per unit dosage. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising sustained release of the sialic acid precursor, N-acetyl mannosamine or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , comprising topical administration of the sialic acid precursor, N-acetyl mannosamine or a derivative thereof.